OzFclass

I have just received 4 boxes (2000) of 180gn Copperhead projectiles from Ken Melgaard.
In the hand the bullets look identical to the Berger apart from the meplat.
I've had no internet or phone for 24 hrs which gave me too much time on my hands so I decided to measure and compare them to the Berger 180 hybrid.

The meplat is smaller on the Copperhead, less ragged and more square to the axis of the projectile than the Berger. Berger on the left in the image.
Both bullets have the same boat tail length of 0.240" approximately. This is difficult to accurately measure.
The Copperhead is slightly shorter than the Berger (see image below)
The Copperhead has a shorter bearing surface than the Berger
The Copperhead has a longer nose length than the Berger.
The measurements were made using Hornady bullet comparator inserts. The relative position of the inserts is shown in the diagram. Measurements were taken from the base of the bullets for each of the available comparator sizes in order to plot an approximate curve of the bullet nose. A CAD program was used to make the plot.

Given all of the above the Copperhead should have a slightly higher BC.
Raw data in inches from the measurements is in the table below. The Copperhead appears to have Berger J4 jackets.

Price was cheaper than the last lot of Bergers that I bought.
I haven't shot them so I can't comment on their precision on target.
Pete

You know what must be done Pete...Send it! Will be interesting to see how they perform.

If they perform like is 30 cal 200gn vld, you'll be very happy.

Hi Peter
Just some information regarding the 7mm x 180 grain “Hybrid” bulllets that you have just received and it’s great for you to share with other and I appreciate your feedback here
So, the boat length is 0.220” long with a 8 degree tapper
The jackets used are the Berger J4’s jackets on the ones that you have received, and l also use the Sierra 7mm jackets
Thank you again Peter for your support
PS if anyone wants the Hybrid or the VLD’s please contact us @ copperheadbullets@gmail.com we can add you to our current waiting list
Ken @ Copperhead Bulllets

Ive been using the 180 Copperhead for a few years now and they are my go to for my remaining 9" twist barrels.
I usually set them at about 10 thou jump and have to load slightly more powder than 180 Bergers to get same pressure/velocity, but I have been able to get slightly more velocity than Bergers before pressure signs.
I have earlier batched them and checked them on Juenke machine but this got boring and I havent done it for a while.

At 1000yd I think the drop was slightly less than Bergers, but both were pointed, and accuraccy was great.

RDavies wrote: Mon Mar 31, 2025 10:38 pm Ive been using the 180 Copperhead for a few years now and they are my go to for my remaining 9" twist barrels.
I usually set them at about 10 thou jump and have to load slightly more powder than 180 Bergers to get same pressure/velocity, but I have been able to get slightly more velocity than Bergers before pressure signs.
I have earlier batched them and checked them on Juenke machine but this got boring and I havent done it for a while.

At 1000yd I think the drop was slightly less than Bergers, but both were pointed, and accuraccy was great.

Noice !

Have been using Ken’s 180 gn 7mm vid for years great stuff highly recommended cheers